An Analysis of Desirable Attributes for Strength and Conditioning Coaches as Perceived by Male and Female Population of Collegiate Athletes

The present study aimed to suggest desirable attributes and characteristics for strength and conditioning coaches as perceived by the male and female population of collegiate athletes and statistically evaluate differences of perception between genders. Participants were 99 NCAA division I student-athletes (Male=56, Female=43) aged between 18-22 years of age, with a mean of 2.98 S&C sessions per week. Participants completed an electronic questionnaire to rank the importance of 17 research-based attributes through a 5-point Likert-type-scale. Descriptive statistics revealed that overall, “knowledgeable” and “communicative” were considered the most important attributes, whereas “overall size/muscularity” and “male gender” were the least desirable. With regards to perceived importance, attributes were ranked in the following order: knowledgeable, communicative, motivator, trustworthy, give positive feedback, approachable, organised, supportive, positive, honest, confident, role model, intense, physical fitness, sense of humour, overall size/muscularity, male gender. “Male gender” as an attribute was identified as the only significant difference in perception between genders (p = .017). The observed results are consistent with previous research that highlighted how several attributes and characteristics are important for strength and conditioning coaches. Thus, these results might foster reflection and guide personal and professional development of strength and conditioning coaches

Preferred strength and conditioning coaching leadership behaviours of NCAA Division I and II Collegiate student-athletes based on sex

The present study aimed to examine collegiate student-athletesˈpreferences of leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning (S&C) coaching and evaluate differences between athletesˈpreferred leadership behaviours based on participantsˈsex. 145 (male = 80, female = 65) National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and II student-athletes aged between 18-25 years, with a mean of 3 (SD = ±1) strength and conditioning sessions per week participated in the study. Participants completed an electronic questionnaire involving the athletesˈ preference version of the Revised Leadership Scale for Strength and Conditioning (RLSSC). Summary statistics revealed that the most preferred behaviour was ˈtraining and instructionˈ, median of 4.5 (IQR = 1.0), and the least preferred was ˈautocraticˈ, median of 2.0 (IQR = 0.5). Similar results were observed for both groups. Males preferred autocratic behaviour more than females (male = 2.5, female = 2.0). Statistically significant difference was identified between groups for autocratic behaviour (p = .001). Effect sizes indicated that the magnitude of differences between groups was small or moderate, with the highest value for autocratic behaviour (d = 0.5). The observation of marginal statistically significant difference aligns with previous research, suggesting sex-related differences. However, small and moderate effect sizes indicate that differences are not practically significant enough to encourage distinct coaching approaches. This study sheds light on the preferences of coaching behaviours among student-athletes in strength and conditioning coaching. The findings emphasise the importance of positive psychosocial behaviours such as training and instruction, positive feedback, situational considerations and social support. While there were slight differences between the sexes, results suggested that both groups valued positive coaching behaviours. These findings provide implications for coaching practice and offer a basis for further research to explore leadership coaching behaviours in strength and conditioning

Exploring Coaching Leadership Behaviours in Strength and Conditioning Coaching: Preferences of NCAA Division I and II Collegiate Student-Athletes Based on Task Dependence

To explore collegiate student-athletes? preferences of coaching leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning (SC) coaching and evaluate differences between the preferences of coaching leadership behaviours based on task dependence. Method a total of 145 National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes (independent sports athletes = 48, interdependent sports athletes = 97), aged 18-25 years, with a mean = 3 (SD = ±1) SC sessions per week, participated. Participants completed an electronic questionnaire involving the athletes? preference version of the Revised Leadership Scale for SC. Results summary statistics revealed that the most favoured behaviour was 'training and instruction', median = 4.5 (IQR = 1.0), while the least favoured was ?autocratic?, median = 2.0 (IQR = 0.5). Independent sports athletes preferred training and instruction more (median = 5.0, IQR = 0.6) than interdependent sports athletes (median = 4.5, IQR = 1.0). Interdependent sports athletes preferred social support more (median = 3.5, IQR = 1.0) than independent sports athletes (median = 3.0, IQR = 0.6). The observation of a marginal statistically significant difference for social support suggests task-dependence-based variations (p = 0.018). However, small effect sizes indicate that differences are not practically significant. Conclusion and recommendation: this study presents insights into the preferences of coaching leadership behaviours among student-athletes in SC coaching. It highlights key behaviours such as training and instruction, positive feedback, situational considerations, and social support. These findings inform coaching practice and provide a foundation for further research into coaching leadership behaviours in SC coaching